We entered the house, as the darkness welcomed us. I knew they would be asleep since it was soon to be midnight. We quietly walked towards the staircase leading towards our bedroom. As we stepped on the staircase I heard a door close behind us. We turned around to see Jason standing there and his face showing signs of both confusion and joy. "Brother?", his voice was small and a bit unsure. "Oh yes Jay, we're here. Why are you up so late?" Kyle said as he approached Jason and hugged him. Jason hugged him back, smiling and scratching the back of his neck and said," Well, I was just going to grab a glass of water and I found you guys." I chuckled and he quickly bowed to me. "Oh sorry dear sis-in-law, I forgot to say hello to you." "It's ok Jay. How have you been?" I asked him and ruffled his hair. "I was doing fine. Say, did you guys enjoy your trip?" We both nodded in approval and smiled. His face seemed to light up with an emotion and a playful smile mustered on his lips as if he succeeded. "Ok, I am going upstairs. It is too late and I am tired." Kyle announced while stretching and yawning and quickly climbed the staircase. We both giggled at his gesture. "Ok, I'll be there!" I called behind him, not too loud to wake up my in-laws. "So, did you guys bond?" He was looking like a curious little bunny. Adorable. "Yes.." I blushed hard imagining the precious moments I had with him. He was now about to jump up and down but he controlled. "Oh my God! I can't believe it. Did you change his heart for you?" I nodded and smiled which made him happier. "That's great! I hope to see you smiling like that forever with him. I never had a sister but I have you now." His eyes twinkled with adoration. "I wish I had a younger brother like him", I thought to myself. I just smiled at his genuine and kind words. He then bid me goodbye and we went to our rooms.
I entered the room and saw his sleeping figure, sleeping as soundly as a baby. I was cooing over him when I heard him whispering. He was murmuring some words in his sleep. I went close to hear what he was saying and all I could hear was. "Why did you lie to me?" "Why are you here?" "You shouldn't have returned." He must be dreaming. I ignored his random word attack and quietly changed into my nightwear. All I wanted was to sleep as my body was throbbing due to the tiresome travel we had. Then suddenly he turned to face me. His eyes were still closed but he seemed to be in pain. His eyebrows were furrowed in frustration. I stroked his cheek gently when he suddenly grabbed my wrist and pulled me into an embrace. "Please don't ever leave me. I won't be able to live without you." He was again murmuring but this time he opened his eyes. I was lying there paralyzed by his sudden actions then quickly hugged him back and kissed his forehead. "I will never leave you. I will always be there for you." He smiled and buried his face in my chest. Even though we have been intimate before, his touch still sends shivers down my spine, he sets my heart on fire and I could feel butterflies roaming around in my stomach. I was running my fingers through his hair and trying to decipher what he meant by those words. Why was he suddenly murmuring vague sentences? Whom was he calling a liar? Is he in trouble? God! I overthink too much. But still, I wish I knew the answer and I will find out soon.
Next day
"I hope you both had a wonderful time together." Mr. Anderson said with a warm smile as he picked a slice of bread from the plate. "Yes father, indeed. we did enjoy every moment together." Kyle looked at me with a knowing smile and I instantly blushed. "Well, that's good news on a good morning." Mrs. Anderson chirped in between our conversation as she sat on her favorite spot, right next to her husband. "Good morning Mrs-" "Call me mum, deary. It'll be nicer and I'll appreciate it." I was cut off by her gently. I smiled at her beaming emotion. I knew how much she desired to have a daughter. I once saw her looking at pretty dresses and dolls at a store when we went shopping. She also has some hand-sewn little dresses as if she had a daughter. Kyle told me that she had a miscarriage and it was their unborn sister. No one except him and his father knew about this. Ever since then, she would occasionally make these dresses. I felt sorry for her but at the same time proud of how she managed to get out of that trauma since if I were her, I would have locked myself up in a room for months. No wonder, she earnestly wanted her son to marry. "Ok mum. Good morning." "That's a better sweetheart, Good morning. Now enjoy your breakfast." I nodded with a smile and the rest of the eating session went quietly except for the mischievous grins and stares from Kyle. Everything felt perfect. Perfect as if I was living a fairytale. As if I was finally living happily ever after. My prince was there with me. People were adoring our couple. They called us Mr. and Mrs. Perfect. What I didn't know was, that the word perfect isn't always the same. I was happy with my Mr. Perfect but something was nagging me and I could not lay my finger on it.
Time skip~
I asked Kyle to take me to a convenience store as I wanted to buy some stuff. He was a bit taken back. "Convenient store? I can buy that whole store for you. You are my wife and a queen. You should only buy explicit and expensive things." I laughed at his childish behavior. "Oh, come on sweetie. I told you I have no issues in buying cheaper stuff. It is more comfortable in my opinion. Besides you're spoiling me too much." He insisted to let the servants buy them for me but I insisted to go by myself. I never liked it when people did my chores, to be honest. He didn't argue anymore and took me to the nearest convenience store. We reached the store and I got out of the car while Kyle sat there in it. He said he'll be waiting outside. I nodded at him and went inside the store. I straight up went to the ladies section to grab some pair of underwear. "See, private things can't be bought like that by servants." The reason I didn't tell Kyle was that he wouldn't let me use a convenience store lingerie. Talk about being brand conscious, yes, he is. I giggled at my thought. I was standing in the line waiting for my turn to pay when my eyes landed on a pretty tutu hanging in the kid's section. It appeared to fit a 9-year-old girl. Then suddenly nostalgia hits me.
*Flashback*
"Serena! Be careful darling, you might bruise your knee again." My mum called out to me seeing me dance in the living room. "Don't worry mommy I'm a big girl now!" I replied while balancing myself on one leg and raising the other above my head. I had already fallen multiple times bruising my knee again and again that the doctor said that it might affect my bones if I took further damage. But it didn't stop me from dancing. I tried to keep my balance but unfortunately, I fell, landing on my butt. Luckily I didn't bruise my knee but that was the last time I tried ballet.
*End of flashback*
That 9-year-old Serena would cry and now this adult Serena is withholding her long lost desire of becoming a ballet dancer. She has lost the passion but the memory is etched in her brain. Her heart still seems to whisper to her saying, she now has the chance. She can learn it and become one. While my mind is warning me to forget it. You're a married woman, are you crazy?! How will you manage everything knowing how hard it was to win his heart? I was in the middle of self-conflict when I heard a girl calling me to move forward since the line was being blocked. I jerked my thoughts away for the time being and quickly paid the cashier then rushed out of the store. I didn't realize how tears were building up inside my eyes and I didn't want Kyle to see them. I saw him waiting beside his car. I quickly approached him wiping my eyes and as soon as I came near, his eyes started roaming my face. "Did you cry?" He inspected me to which my eyes widened in shock. No Serena, don't tell him. "No. There must be something in my eyes. Let's get going." I smiled as brightly as I can and luckily he believed me.
To be continued...